Government House in Hobart needs expensive roof repairs

TASMANIA’S 162-year-old Government House needs repairs to keep it structurally sound ... but it’s going to be costly.

Aerial pictures of Hobart, Government House

TASMANIA’S Government House requires major roof repairs to maintain the 162-year-old building’s structural integrity.

A spokesman for the Department of Treasury and Finance said the $333,000 contract recently awarded for works at Government House covered remedial work.

“These works include, but are not limited to, the installation of new timber beams to connect roof gables to roof structures, replacing loose connections and open joints within the roof structure and the installation of tension bars to external stonework around the ballroom roof,” the spokesman said.

Hobart building company Paradigm Constructions has been contacted to carry out the repairs.

Government House underwent a major restoration in the early 1990s, with $3 million spent on upgrades including wiring, fire safety, drainage repairs to damaged sandstone and redecorating.

According to Government House’s 2017-18 annual report, more recent maintenance has included a full restoration of the main turret clock mechanism; painting of the ballroom, main hallway and main staircase and security upgrades.

Government House is costly to maintain. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

In the 2019-20 state budget $4.6 million was allocated to the Office of the Governor to cover Governor Kate Warner’s activities and the running costs and maintenance associated with Government House estate.

Tasmania’s Government House is regarded as one of the best Vice-Regal residences in the Commonwealth.

Construction of the present Government House on the Queens Domain in Hobart began in 1855 and was completed in 1857.

Some of the sandstone used in construction was excavated from quarries at the site, which are now ornamental pools.

Local timbers were used for the joinery and Welsh slate for the roofs.

Designed by colonial architect William Porden Kay, it is considered a fine example of an early Victorian country house in neo-Gothic style and is one of the largest of its type in Australia.

Apart from the conservatory, which was rebuilt in 1991, the structure of Government House remains as it was when it was first occupied.